Vehicle signaling apparatus.



J. TOBIN VBHIGLE SIGNALING APPARATUS.

AIPPLIGATION FILED SEPT. 21,

Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

3 SKEETS SKEET 1.

INVENTOR J; W. TOBIN.

VEHICLE SIGNALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION mum snm.

Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

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VEHICLE SIGNALING ATPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT, 21, 1909.

Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3 INVENTOR 06- Ma q x AM JOHN W. TOIB'IN, 0F NEXV YORK, N. Y.

VEHICLE SIGNALING APPARATUS Specification of Letters lPatent.

Patented Apr. 15, 1913'.

Application filed September 21, 1909. Serial No. 518,826.

To all whom it aay concern Be it known that I, JOHN W. Toms, a

citizen of the United States, residing at. New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,vhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle Signaling Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

ThlS invention relates to traffic regulating means and more particularly to signaling apparatus for road vehicles.

One of the objects thereof is to provide a practical device of this character adapted to be used with any means for illuminating the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling by means of which an occupant of the vehiclemay notify other persons upon the roadwaythat he intends. to change his course or to stop the vehicle.

Another object is to provide a signaling device of the above general nature which will be positive in itsaction and which may be controlled with ease.

Gther objects are to provide an efficient and practical device that will be inexpensive to manufacture, simple and durable in contering the parts.

struction, and so arranged and constructed as to be easily applied to any form of vehicle andattached to the lamps mounted thereon without materially changing or al- Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. In the accompanying drawings wherein is shown (meet the various possible embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the relative positions of the various parts of the apparatus with respect to an automobile body" and the sources of light usually carried thereby. Fig. 2 is a frontelevation of one of the lamps with a part of the apparatus applied thereto having parts broken away for the sake of clearness. Fig. 3 is a sectional side view taken on the line rh-n: of Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and 5 are a plan and end view respectively, partly in section, of a part of the apparatus hereinafter known as the gear box. Fig. 6 is a plan view with parts broken away of a part of the'apparatus hereinafter known as'the controlling mechanism. ,lfig. 7. is a vertical sectional view taken on, th e,-liiic 3 1 of Fig. 6.

Similar referencecharacters refer to simimotion.

lar parts throughout.- the several views of the drawings.

As tending to render certain features of this invention more readily and fully under stood, it may here be noted that much confusion often arises, especially during the hours of darkness, when the occupants of a.

vehicle desire to sto p or change the course in \Vlllt'li they are traveling as to a cross-road,

as occupants of other vehicles have no previous warning of such change. This is especially true when vehicles are traveling in the same direction and the one in the lead desires to turn to the right or the left, or to stop, in which case the occupantpf the following vehicle received no warning of the change until the vehicle actually begins to turn, and, if folit .ving close or traveling-at a high rate of speed, the driver thereof may not have time to avoid ruxiuing into. the one ahead. The above and other objectionable features incident to vehicle traffic are obviated by apparatus of the general nature of that hereinafter described. I

Referring now to the drawings in detail, 1 indicates a motor vehicle of any suitable construction provided with front'lamps 2, 2

and a rear lamp 3. As the main features of the lamp with its complementary signaling means are substantially the same in each instance but one will be described in detail.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, in which one of the front lamps is shown, 2 indicates a lamp of any well known design, to the front of which and suspended partially below the same, is attacheda casing ,4, by means of bands 5,one of which is adjustably secured to the upper end of the casing 4 after passing around the top of the lamp by the upper arms of hell crank levers (3 attached at either side of the casing, and the other is adjustably secured at points 7 (see.

Fig. 3) around the lower part of the lamp.

()ne of the bands 5 is provided with adjusting ineans'til preferably positioned in front of the lamp in order that the strap may be conveniently tightened or adjusted to lamps of different sizes. .\n adjusting screw 9 holds the casing 4 in relative position. Blocks of rubber or other suitable material 10 are preferably interposed between the casing 4 and the lamp 2 to prevent vibration or rattling of the parts when the car is in The casing 4 is provided with transparent openings both in its front and rear sides and at the upper-"partthereof,

-registering"niith the openingin the front of the lamp j2.;,tlir ough which the light. emitted permit access to .the mechanism contained therein. The signaling means within the ;casing comprises a plurality of transpicuous screens 13, 14 and 15, normally resting in ,the lower part of the casing and preferably rack and pinion mechanism is. so geared as formed o f glass and adapted to slide in vertical guide-ways 16, 17 and 18, respectively. These screens are of different colors and denote turns to the right, left and stop respectively. Each screen is preferably provided at one side with 20 and 21, respectively, adapted 'to mesh with pinions 22, 23 and 2-1 mounted in suitable bearings in an offset portion at one side of the casing. These pinions are adapted to be rotated by means of flexible shafts 25, 26 and 27 which are rotated from the controlling mechanism hereina'fterdescribed. Each to move its transpicuous screens from a position below the opening through which the light is emitted from the lamp upwardly to Va position to obscure the same, for it will be understood from the foregoing description thatwlien the parts are in theirnormal or 'loiver'position, as shown in Fig. 2, the light emitted through the lens will be white. If now the rack and pinion mechanism is actuated, one of the colored screens will be raised so as to bring the same into the path of light .flemitted from the source within the lamp,

thus warning the people upon the roadway that the occupant of the vehicle desires to change his course or to stop the .vehicle, ac-

cording to which of the/{colored screens is actuated it being understood, of course that.

predetermined colors will denote certain movements accordin' to--t he code of tratiic regulation. After t e occupant of the vchicle has completed the change in course, the mechanism will again be actuated to restore the screen to normal'position. It is obvious, of course, that this mechanism and casing may be inverted or positioned horizontally and accomplish a SlKXUlflI'.18SUll -is shown that part of the apparatus known although the mechanism shown is believed to be more advantageous. v

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, in which as the selective controlling mechanism, l 28, represents a casing of any suitable form adapted to be secured to the rear of the engine hood or an 'other convenient part of f the vehicle 'with n easy reach of the occu- .pant thereof; Through the rear of the casi pass the'flexible shafts 25, 26 and 27,

of which is journaled within suitable bearings and provided with apinion 29, 30

a rack 19,

the front lamps tirely through the casing 28 and coininunicafe with the casings 4 attached to both of tained thercinare operated simultaneously by one increment of a dle. A door 39 is hinged at the front. of the casing to permit access to the contained therein. may be applied to the casing near each lever to denote vhich of the signals it controls.

In order that the intention of the driver to change his course, or step, may becommunicated to an occupant of a following vehicle, a casing similar to that above de scribed is provided adjacent the light emitting opening of the rear lamp 3. This is especially desirable when the car is about to stop. In order that the one movement of the operating handle may be (.OlIllllUIll cated to the signaling means adiaccut the rear light, a suitable gear-box 40, Figs. 4 and 5, is provided atone side of the vehicle, through which the above mentioned flexible shafts 25, 26 and 27 pass. On these shaft;

sectors is provided with the at either side of the ve-' hicle, so that similar signaling screens consingle operating hqh mechanism" Suitable name plates are mounted p'inioiis 41. 4-2 and 43 respectively adapted to mesh witl piuions 44, 45 and 46, respectively, of similar shape and size, mounted on flexible shafts 47,48 and 49 leading to the casing adiacent the rear lamp. These last mentioned flexible shafts are adapted to actuate the rack and pinion mechanism for shifting the colored screens in the same manner, as above described. in connection with the casing ad lmtlil the front lamp. It is of course, to be understood that this gearing may be changed in propor tion and arrangement of parts. although it is believed that the construction as herein shown is more desirable because of its simplicity and similarity of parts. It will thus be seen thata single movement of the sclcc-..

tive controlling mechanism by the operator will actuate the signaling means ateach of a plurality of different points on the vehicle.

The operation of the device, .which should be largely obvious from the above dcscrilr tion, is as follows: Assuming that a blue light is to indicate that the occupant is to turn to the right, a red light that he is to turn to the left and a green light Stop-, if the occupant of the vehicle desires to turn screens simultaneously in front of the source widely different embodiments of this invenvehicle, that he intends to turn in that direcdescribed, it will, of course, be understood to the right, he so manipulates the handle or,lever that the blue colored screens in all of the casings adjacent the several lamps willbe raised to bring the blue screen into the path of light' emitted from the various lamps, thus Warning all persons upon the road, whether in front or in the rear of the tion, and as he gives this warning a fewmoments before he'makes the turn occupants of other vehicles will have time to prepare themselves to avoid accidents.

The above device, which is entirely mechanical, it will be seen is positive in its action; contains but few movable parts and is not likely to get out of order, and is simre "id inexpensive in its construction 5 irt ermore, it may be applied to any form of motor vehicle having usual and well known makes of lamps now in use without any material change in construction and arrangement of parts, and there will be no diminution in the illumination of the roadway, as the lamps will normally emit a white light during the progress of the vehicle.-

The signaling means may be controlled with ease by the person who is operating the car, or, if desired, the controlling mechanism may be placed at some other convenient place, in order that it maybe operated by some other occupant of the vehicle. Moreover, the signaling mechanism may be readily applied ,or removed from anyone of the lamps, or, if desired, may be applied to additional lamps by means of the gear-' box above described. 7'

While, for the purpose of illustration, red, green and blue screens have been shown and that any other .0010!- screens could be employed, if so .desired, and also that one of the screens could be omitted and the result of the third signal be accomplished by-simultaneously moving two of the signals in front of the light at the same time.

For instance, if blue and red denoted right-and left turns, respectively, the bringing of these of light ,would produce a green color, Which would denote that the vehicle was about to stop. Moreover, many of the advantages of this invention are gained in a construction in which two distinctive signals onlv, of the above. nature are used to indicate merely the di ection of turning.

As manv changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently tion could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all mat ter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted'as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I! claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: V

1. In an apparatus of the class described, In combination, a vehicle, a source of light carried thereby for illuminating the path of travel, comprising an inclcsiiig casing, a plurality of distinctive signaling means associated therewith and normally held in inoperative position, said signaling means being attached outside said inclosing casing, means controlled by an occupant of the vchicle to cause any one of said signaling means to assume an operative position with relation to said source of light, and manually operated means for returning said signaling means rclativelv remote from said casing to its inoperative position.

in combination, a vehicle, a source of light. carried thereby and adapted to illuminate the path of travel, comprising an inclosing frame, a casing attached outside said frame containing a plurality of distinctive signaling means, said signaling means being slidablv mounted within said casing, and manually operated means controlled by an occupant of said vehicle for moving any one of said signals from and to a normally inoperative position with relation to said source of light. 1

3. In an apparatus of the class described, in combination, a vehicle. a source of light positioned adjacent the front-end thereof, comprising an inc-losing frame, a casing attached outside said frame, a pluralityot distinctive signals within said casing and normally held in inoperative position, guides within said casing for directing the move- 'ment of said signals, and manually operated means controlled by an occupant of the vehicle for moving said signals to and'from opcr ative pcsition with'relaliorrto sziid source of lightf 4. In an apparatus of the class described, in combination, a vehicle, a sourceiof light carried thereby adjacent the front of saidvehicle, a casing detachablv secured to said snurceof light. a plurality of distinctive signals carried by said casing and normally ,held in inoperative position with relation to said source of light. guides for directing the movement of saidsignals. a rack and pinion mechanism associated with each of said signals for moving the same to and from opera- -tive position, manually operated means adapted to be operated by an occupant of the vehicle for moving said signals, and a flexible connection between said operating means and said casing.

.5. In an apparatus of the class des$ribed, in combination, a vehicle, a source 0 light carried thereby, a plurality of normally inoperative distinctive signaling meansassociated with said source of light, a casing containing said signaling means detachably secured to said source of light and depending in front of and below thefame, and manually operated means adapted to. be controlled by an occupant of the vehicle for raising said signaling means from inoperative position to by any one of 'said signaling means may be brought into operative relation with its respective' source of light.

7. in an aplaratus of the class described] in combination, a vehicle, a source-of light associated therewith, a casing having means for connectingthc same with said source of light. a plurality of distin tive signals within said casing. selective controlling mechanism adapted to be operated by an occupant of the vehicle for moving any of-said signals into and out of operative relation avith said source of light, and means between said coiltrclling mechanism and said casing' for transmitting motion from one to the other,

said connecting means between the casing and the'sourcc oflight comprising a band secured to said ca5ing and passing around suit source ot'light.

H. ln an apparatus ot'the' class describe: in combination, a vehicle, a source of light,

a casing containing a plurality of distiuctivc signaling means detachably secured to said source of light. means connected with said casing adapted to be operated-byan cccupant oi the vehicle for moving any one of said signaling means into and out of operative relation to said source oi light. said ca ing beingdepcndcd in front of and below said source rat-light and having a band connected therewith by which the same is detacbably sccurcd in position.

9. ln unapparatus of the class described, in combination. a vehicle, a source of light, a casingcontaining a plurality of distinctive signaling in *ans dctachably secured to said sour c of light. means C(Hlllttlttl with said casing adapted to be actuated by an occu-' paint of the vehicle for moving any of said signaling means into andout of operative relation with said source of light, said casing being depended in front of and below Slit source of light and having adjustable means connected therewith by'which the same is detacbably secured in pflz ititin, and means interposed between the casing and the: smu-ce of light to prevent vibration of the parts. i i

10. In an apparatus oi the class described comprising,-in combination, a vehicle, a plurality of sources'of light located at various points thereon,a' plurality of distinctive signaliug means associated with each of said sources of light, a controlling 'mecha'nism for simultaneously moving any of said signaling means into and out of, operative relation, intermediate mechanism for transmitting motion from the controlling mechanism to one of said signaling means com; prisinga flexible shaft, and asecond flexible shaft geared thereto and'leading to another signaling means, Y Y r 11. In an apparatus ofthe class described comprising, in combination," a vehicle, a -plurality of sources ofslight, signaling means associatechwith eachof said sources oflight, means adapted to be operated by arr-occupant of a vehicle for simultaneously actuating said signaling means, a flexible connection interposed dircctl between one of. a

said sources of'light an saidicontrolling means, and a flexible connection between said first-mentioned flex ble connection and a second-source of light.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, in combination, a vehicle, .a; plurality of sources of light 'locatedat. 1 various points thereon, a signaling' means associated with each of saidsources of light, a selectivecontrolling mechanism adapted to beoperated by an occupant of the-vehicle, a connection between one of said sources 0i light-and said controlling mechanism, and a fiexibls connection between said first, mentioned conncction and a second source of light.

13. ,1 nan apparatus of the class described, in combination, a vehicle, a plurality of sources of lightlocated at variouspoints thereon. a signaling means associated with each of said sources o t' light, a controlling nu-clianisi'n for simultaneously actuating any of said sigi'ialiug means, a flexible connection between one of said signaling means and said controlling means, and-a second tlcxible connection between said first mentioned connection and a second signaling! means. i

14. In an apparatus of the class described. in combination, a vehicle, a plurality of sources of light, a signal associatediwitl each of said sources of light, means for a tuating said signals from a point:- remote therefrom and flexibly connected with ow of said sources of light a gear-box, a second flexible connection connecting a seconl source of light and actuated from said tir--t flexible connection within said gear-box.

15. In an apparatus of the class described in combination, a vehicle, a source of ligli. thereon, a signal associated with said sourc ofliglit, a controlling mechanism adapted i v be actuated by an occupant of the vehicl for movingsaid signal into operative .Olwltign source of light, and as ai'i.

between said signal and said i 'ontrolling mechanism, said controlling mechanism iueluding a gear on said shat't, and means meshing with said gear for rotating said shaft to move the signal.

to. In an apparatus of the class described. in combination. a vehicle. a source of light. a plurality ot distinctive signaling lllttllh a sociated therewith. a controllingmechanism. and a shat't bctw en each ot said paling means and said controllii'ig mecha-- nism. said controlling mechanism including a gear on each of said shafts. and means meshing with each of said gears for rotating the shafts whereby the signals are moved into operative relation with said source of light.

17. In an apparatus of the class described, in combination. a vehicle. a source of light. a casing dctachably secured to said source of light, a plurality of distinctive signaling means within said casing. a rack and pinion mechanism associated with each of said naling means. a selective controllingmecha nism adapted to be operated by an occupant of the car including a shaft between said pinion and said controlling mechanism. a gear on said shaft. and means for rotating said gear and shaft whereby the rack and pinion mechanism are actuated to' move the signal to and from operative position.

18. In an apparatus of the tflflSf: described. in comhinatioi'i. a, vehicle. a source oi light. a plurality of distinctive signaling means associated therewith. mechanism for moving each of said signaling means into and out of operative position, a sele tive control ling mechanism for actuating said first men tioned mechanism including a tlexiblc con nection between said controlling mechanism and said actuating i'necliani:-1m, a gear on aid connection. and a sector meshing with said g ar for rotation the same.

ll). ln an apparatus of the class described. in combination. a vehicle. a plurality oi sources of light. a plurality of distinctive means i fi. t)('l'rll(' l with each of said sources of light. a sele tive controlling mechanism for operating a plurality of Slgnf tlS imultaneously. said controllii'ig mechanism in cluding a sha tit, hetwe n each of said signaling means and said controlling mechanism.

a you r on with of v aid shafts. and means for rotating' each o't said gears a predetermined amount.

20. in an apparatus of the class described. in combination a vehicle, a plurality of our es of light l cated on various points thereon. a plurality of distinctive signaling means associated with each of said sources t light. a controlling mechanism therefor including," a tlexihle connection between each of said signals and said controlling mechanism. a gear on each of said flexible. connections. and v ectors meshing with each of said gears for rotating; the same a predetermined amount to move the signals into or out of operative position.

'21. In an apparatus of the class described. in com ination. a vehicle. a front and rear light, a signal associated with each of said lights. a controlling mechanism for said signals including a tlexiblc connection between one o t said signals and the said eon trclling mechanism. a, second flexible connection 0])(l2llttl from said first connection and connected with the other of said sig nals. and a sector for rotating said first flexible conncction a predetermined amount whereby both signals are moved simultaneously to and from operative position.

in combination. a vehicle, a plurality of Sources of light associated therewlth at oppositc ends thereof. a casing detachably seured to the exterior of each of said source of light. a plurality of distinctive signaling means within each of" said casings, a selective, controlling mechanism adapted to be operated by an occupant of the vehicle for vsimultaneousl moving a plurality of similar signaling means to and from operative relation with their respective sources of light. and a flexible connection between said selective controlling mechanism and each of said casings whereby the signals are operated sin'mltane usly.

In testimony whereof I attix my signa ture. in the presence of two witnesses.

7 JOHN \V. TOBIN,

\Vitncsses:

PAUL A. BLAIR, HELEN M. SEAMANS.

In an apparatus of the class descrihed. 

